[ UH SOCCER ]
Kai scores four goals
to lead UH over UNR
RENO, Nev. >> Natasha Kai's rise to the top of Hawaii's all-time goal scoring list took just 30 matches.
The sophomore striker has 36 career goals and shares the No. 1 spot with senior teammate Arlene Devitt, who played in her 61st match last night.
Kai caught up to Devitt by scoring all four goals in the Rainbow Wahine's 4-1 Western Athletic Conference victory over host Nevada (2-10, 0-3) before 442 fans at Mackey Stadium.
With her first score at 12:41 last night, Kai broke her single-season record of 16 goals set last year. Kai's game-winning goal was her fourth of the season, tying her with Devitt for the lead on the all-time list with nine.
Devitt set up Kai's second and third goals five minutes apart in the first half to give UH (9-4-1, 4-1) a 3-0 halftime advantage. Devitt's two assists increased her school career record to 22 and upped her career record for points to 94.
Outside right midfielder Natalie Groenewoud set up Kai's first goal with a well-placed through ball.
Kai and Devitt then connected for goals at 29:32 and 34:34.
"When our first team was on the field, we overwhelmed the other team," said UH coach Pinsoom Tenzing. "Natasha was just way too fast for them. About the only difficulty we had was adjusting to playing on FieldTurf."
Nevada scored its first goal in three matches at 61:51 when senior striker Kaula Rowe received a cross pass from Kristin Anderson and knocked the ball into the net. For Rowe, a Kamehameha graduate and the Wolf Pack's all-time leader in goals, it was her first score this year.
Kai completed her night with an unassisted goal at 72:13.
With the early lead against the last-place team in the conference, coach Pinsoom Tenzing gave considerable playing time to the reserves, using all 18 players on the trip
Tomorrow the Wahine play at Boise State (5-8-1, 1-1), a 3-2 overtime winner against visiting Utah Valley State in a nonconference match yesterday.
Note: Hawaii will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rainbow Wahine soccer with a dinner and halftime ceremony at the final home match Oct. 27 against Brigham Young. Former Wahine interested in attending should call 956-4525.
